Application of nanomaterials as nano-masks

The outbreak of COVID-19 has raised a worldwide need for effective measures to break the transmission chain of the virus and limit its R number to prevent the spread. Various preventive measures include vaccination, face masks, sanitizers and disinfectants, social distancing, and lockdown. However, face masks are the most critical public health preventive measure to combat various viruses and pathogens due to their airborne nature. Touted as a game-changing technology, nanotechnology has shown immense potential in research and development related to face masks. The inclusion of nanomaterials in the mask has addressed various problems related to bulk materials based on conventional masks, including the efficiency of filtering virus and pathogens, retaining of viruses over the mask surface, breathing and other respiratory issues, facial skin problems, and disposal-related issues. This chapter illustrates the use of various nanotechnology-based materials, including graphene, nanoparticles, nanofibers, nano-membranes, and nanocomposites, to fabricate nano-masks. It also focuses on the advantages of nano-masks over conventional masks based on bulk materials. Further, prospects and suggestions for limiting nano-waste due to nanomaterials in textiles have also been proposed.